Do visit the Uniquely Singapore website to find out more about Singapore. The website contains comprehensive tourist information including hotel listings, events, shopping areas and attractions. If you require further assistance, please contact any of the Singapore Tourism Board offices located worldwide or call the 24-hour Touristline at (65) 6736 2000 (outside Singapore).
Alternatively, upon arrival in Singapore, visitors can call the 24-hour Touristline at 1800-736 2000 (toll-free in Singapore) or visit any of the conveniently located Singapore Visitor Centres to pick up brochures on Singapore and its attractions.
Accommodation
From simple budget lodgings to six star luxury, old-world ambience to boutique settings, Singapore's hotels offer an eclectic selection with convenient locations, rates and options to suit every requirement. Serviced apartments with fully serviced facilities, offer visitors with families or visitors staying for longer periods of time, the option of a home away from home.
Airport Tax
A passenger service charge of SGD 21 should be incorporated in your air ticket. If this has not been done, you are required to pay the SGD 21 upon check-in. In certain instances, some airlines may absorb the service charge.
Arrival and Departure
Singapore is a major air hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with Singapore Changi International Airport serving more than 60 airlines to over 145 cities. Within the airport, fast and trouble-free clearance for arriving and departing passengers is provided, along with ramps, elevators, specially-designed toilets and telephones for the physically-challenged. International patients are advised to alert the airline crew of any special assistance or facilitation that is required in Changi Airport, for example, wheelchair services or quick immigration clearance.
Banking
The local currency is Singapore Dollars and Cents.
Banking hours are Mondays to Fridays, 1000 hrs to 1500 hrs; and Saturdays, 0930 hrs to 1300 hrs. Some banks are open until 1500 hrs on Saturdays.
Most banks handle travellers' cheques and change foreign currencies. Passports are required when cashing travellers' checks and a nominal commission may be charged.
Country Code
The country code for Singapore is 65. There is no area code. If you are making an international call to Singapore, dial the access code followed by 65 and the Singapore telephone number.
Credit/Charge Cards
Major cards are widely accepted by establishments in Singapore.
American Express
:
(65) 6880 1111
Diners Club
:
(65) 6416 0905
JCB
:
(65) 6734 0206
MasterCard
:
(65) 800 110 0113 (toll-free in Singapore only)
Visa
:
(65) 800 448 1250 (toll-free in Singapore only)
Currency
The local currency is Singapore Dollars and Cents. All merchants and service providers accept Singapore Dollars. Euros, US and Australian Dollars, Japanese Yen, and the British Pound are also accepted at most major shopping centres and department stores.
Drinking Water
It is perfectly safe to drink water straight from the tap in Singapore. However, for medical travellers who prefer bottled water, local supermarkets and grocers carry a sizeable range.
Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is dealt with seriously in Singapore. Illicit trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances is strictly prohibited.
Electricity
Singapore's voltage is 220-240 volts AC, 50 cycles per second. On request, most hotels will provide transformers to visitors with electrical appliances of a different voltage. The power plugs used in Singapore are of the three-pin, square-shaped type.
Mobile Phones
There are two mobile phone networks, GSM900 and GSM1800, and three mobile phone service providers: SingTel, M1 and StarHub. To make international calls, the access codes are 001, 013 or 019 for SingTel; 002 or 021 for M1; and 008 or 018 for StarHub.
Money Changers
Money can be changed at banks and hotels and wherever the sign "Licensed Money Changer" is displayed. Most shopping centres have a licensed money changer.
Payphone Services
Public payphones can be found in most shopping complexes and train stations. Local calls are charged at 10 Singapore cents per three minutes. Stored-value phone cards in denominations of SGD 2, SGD 5, SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 can be purchased from post offices and phone card agents. To make an international call, dial the access code followed by the country code, area code and telephone number. International calling cards in denominations of SGD 10, SGD 20 and SGD 50 are also available at all post offices, Singapore Changi International Airport, 7-Eleven stores and other retail outlets.
Postal Services
Singapore Post operates an extensive network of postal outlets conveniently located throughout the island. Most postal outlets are open Mondays through Fridays from 0830 hrs to 1700 hrs and until 1300 hrs on Saturdays.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in public service vehicles, museums, libraries, lifts, theaters, cinemas, air-conditioned restaurants, hair salons, supermarkets, department stores and government offices. Offenders can be fined up to SGD 1,000.
Tipping
Tipping is not practised because most hotels and restaurants in Singapore already levy a 10 percent service charge on customers' bills. Cabs are metered and there is no need to add a tip beyond the reading. However, certain surcharges may apply depending on when and where the taxi is taken. These may vary by cab company but will be detailed on a sign within each vehicle.
Transport
Moving around in Singapore is both economical and efficient given the wide choice of public transport. Whether it is buses, taxis, the MRT or Maxicab airport shuttles, Singapore's transport network covers the entire island to offer maximum accessibility and maximum convenience. For more information, please click here .
To read about transport information for the physically-challenged, click here.
Visa and Entry Facilities
The Singapore Immigration & Checkpoints Authority has implemented various measures to facilitate visa applications for entry to Singapore. For updated information, please select your nationality or type of travel document you are travelling on from the list below. Visitors whose nationalities are not shown in the list below, or who are not intending to travel on the travel documents listed, do not need a visa to enter Singapore.
Please note that the visa processing time for international patients may differ for those who require urgent medical attention. The actual time required for visa processing is evaluated based on their medical condition.
For all international patients, a supporting letter from the Singapore hospital that states the purpose of the visa application and details of the patient's medical condition must be submitted with other basic documents to facilitate visa processing. The hospital's International Patient Service Centre will be able to assist with such applications.
If you intend to select a hospital only after your arrival in Singapore, you are required to supply an original copy of Form V39A (Letter of Introduction), completed and signed, issued by a Singapore contact (any Singapore citizen or Singapore Permanent Resident). If you are not able to furnish a Letter of Introduction (LOI) from a local contact, you may approach your Embassy or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue an LOI to support your visa application.
Visa applications can either be submitted at the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) counters or online at the ICA website.
Generally, foreigners who do not require visas for entry and are visiting Singapore as tourists will be given up to 30-day social visit passes upon their arrival in Singapore. For more information, please visit the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority website.
What to Wear
Singapore has a warm and humid climate throughout the year with a daily average temperature range of 24-32 degrees Celsius (75-90 degrees Fahrenheit). Light summer clothing made from natural fabrics such as cotton is best for everyday wear. Casual dress is acceptable for most situations and occasions, but some establishments may require something more formal. Do check beforehand on dress regulations.
Useful Telephone Numbers
Police
999 (toll-free)
Emergencies/Ambulance/Fire Brigade
995 (toll-free)
CitySearch (Operator-assisted Yellow Pages)
1900 777 7777
Flight Information
1800 542 4422
Taxi Companies
Comfort/CityCab Taxis
6552 1111
Premier Taxis
6363 6888
Prime Taxis
6778 0808
SMART Cab
6485 7777
SMRT Taxis
6555 8888
TRANS-Cab
6555 3333
International Calls (Operator-assisted)
104
Time of Day
1711
Weather Information
6542 7788
Singapore Tourism Board Touristline
(24-hour automated tourist information system)
